KATHMANDU, June 5: President Ramchandra Paudel has appealed to the global community to secure the future of upcoming generations by mitigating the negative impacts of climate change.
At a program organized at the President’s Office on the occasion of World Environment Day, President Paudel highlighted the rapid changes in glaciers and glacial lakes due to the growing impacts of global warming.
He noted that these changes have increased challenges to lives and livelihoods through flash floods and landslides in downstream areas.
“Nepal and other countries around the world are struggling with the crises caused by climate change, pollution, and loss of biodiversity.
These crises cannot be solved by individual efforts; everyone must unite,” the President said.
He emphasized that the theme of World Environment Day, “Our Land, Our Future: Land Restoration, Desertification, and Drought Resistance,” reflects our common challenges and opportunities.
Recalling the views expressed by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres regarding Nepal’s mountain crisis and the high risk of climate change, President Paudel expressed concern over Nepal’s negligible contribution to greenhouse gas emissions despite facing significant climate-related problems.
He stressed the need for the global community to collaborate in solving the problems arising from climate change and reducing its impact.
Stating that Nepal has been implementing various national-level initiatives to mitigate the impacts of climate change, and that this issue has been addressed in government policies and programs, President Paudel expressed hope that the President’s Climate Change Management Programme would help increase adaptive capacity by reducing the negative impacts of climate change.
During the event, President Paudel inaugurated the plantation drive by planting a sapling of ‘palas’ on the President’s building premises.
Vice President Ram Sahay Prasad Yadav, Chief Justice Bishwombhar Prasad Shrestha, Speaker Devraj Ghimire, and National Assembly Chair Narayan Dahal also planted saplings.
Chief Secretary Baikuntha Aryal, Chief of Army Staff Prabhuram Sharma, chiefs of security agencies, ambassadors from various countries, and heads of donor agencies were present on the occasion.
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